One of the most common issues with overweight dogs is that weight places extra stress on their bones and joints.
This can be painful and lead to hip problems
Click here for the latest report by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association on the rise in canine obesity
PUPSCAN IS A SELF FUNDING RESEARCH PROJECT
HELP US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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The Pupscan Project was established in early 2015 to research and identify the factors leading to abnormal joint development in dogs.
The project aims to separate predominantly genetic causes from the many acquired conditions that can damage joints.
Using the most modern diagnostic Ultrasound technology and a precise measurement analysis of the whole hip, a non-invasive imaging technique has been developed to evaluate puppies in the early months of life in order to establish the presence, or absence, of normal healthy joint development
NOTICE
PUPPY ULTRASOUND SCANNING
PLEASE NOTE!
Once your litter is born and you have booked an appointment for scanning you will receive a form for completion.
IT IS VITAL FOR THE RESEARCH PROJECT THAT ALL PAPERWORK IS COMPLETED AND RETURNED PRIOR TO YOUR LITTER BEING SCANNED.
Once your litter has been scanned and the data collected, and only when all data has been signed off can a Pupscan ID number be assigned to each individual puppy.
This unique ID number is designed to enable identification and verification that the puppy has been scanned. It will not be possible to scientifically validate the scan findings without all other data that Pupscan request.
Without an ID number it will not be possible to support the claim that a puppy has been scanned as that puppy will not be recorded on the database.
A Certificate will be issued confirming the ID number.
It is important to recognize that failure to complete and return the forms will result in no ID Certificate being issued.
Photo L-R: Prof Alan Fahey (Head Geneticist UCD), Jim Stephens (Chairman Health & Welfare Committe IKC), Prof Vivian Gath (School of Veterinary Sciences, UCD), Paul Kelly (Orthopaedic Specialist Veterinary Surgeon), Bodo Backmo (Swedish Kennel Club Investigation Team on HD), Gordon Maclellan MB BS FRCS (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon), Pamela Maclellen (CEO Pupscan Research Project)
A successful Pupscan Seminar was held on 7th July at the IKC National Show Centre in Dublin, thanks to everyone who attended, you were a lovely audience.
The presentation kicked off with an introduction by Pamela Maclellen on the Pupscan Project which is researching the processes that lead to faulty hip development.
It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Bodo Backmo from the Swedish Kennel Club Investigation Team on HD who spoke about the extensive research he had recently completed and submitted to the SKK, and his interesting findings on the increasing incidence of HD in Sweden.
Mr Jim Stephens, Chairman of the Health & Welfare Committee of the Irish Kennel Club told of the support of the IKC towards the Pupscan Project and its efforts to promote it to the FCI.
Mr Gordon Maclellan MB BS FRCS (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon) gave a presentation on the many causes, besides genetic, that can cause abnormal hip joint development.
Prof Alan Fahey, Head Geneticist, UCD) spoke about phenotype, genotype, traits and gene influence and how the environment can have an effect on how genes can be expressed.
Prof Vivian Gath (Veterinary Science Centre, UCD) presented on nutritional and environmental impact on growth and development.
Finally Mrs Maclellan ended the day with a presentation on how the scanning procedure and X Ray Referral Scheme would now move forward given the encouraging global interest and she acknowledged the continued and growing support of breeders and indeed the Irish Kennel Club.
A lively Q & A session took place afterwards where the above speakers and also Veterinary Orthopaedic Surgeon Paul Kelly answered many questions from the audience.
19 October 2018: Acquired conditions may be responsible for poor hip or elbow scores and these processes MUST be considered before diagnosing a genetic abnormality.
The Pupscan X Ray Referral Service has been set up at the request of breeders and owners who wish to know if their dog has a disorder of joint development that is potentially genetic or acquired. The service, which will help fund the Pupscan Research Project, is designed to allow breeders to make their own informed decision whether to include or exclude a dog from their breeding programme.
The Referral Panel consists of both veterinary and human orthopaedic specialists, who will review and report on submitted x rays and work with the breeder/owner and their vet to assist in any decision that may be required for the benefit of the dog.
More information here
August, 2018: The Pupscan Research Project are delighted to welcome Dr. Paul Kelly MVB to the team, who will be a major contributor to the research going forward.
Paul, is based in Ratoath, Co Meath, Ireland where he runs a general veterinary practice, specialising in Orthopaedics and Traumatology UCM. He qualified as a vet at University College Dublin in 1989 and gained his specialist title at the University Complutense in Madrid.
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